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Job Summary

1. Give a short summary of the duties and responsibilities of your job.

a) Assist the Safety Technician (Fire Systems) in completing the monthly and annual inspections of the various fire detection systems on campus.

b) Following a set of procedures, conduct weekly or monthly churn tests for fire pumps on campus in accordance with the requirements of the Ontario Fire Code and the NFPA 25 standard. This includes documenting all of the test results and reporting deficiencies to Facilities for follow up and repair.

c) Undertake other related duties as delegated in support of the unit or department.

d) Assist other departmental staff as required.

Job Description

2. To fulfill your duties what knowledge, skills and specialized techniques are required? How would each be normally acquired? How long would it take to become proficient in each of the areas of your work?

A high school diploma.

Experience assisting with the testing of fire detections systems and fire pumps would be considered an asset.

An understanding of fire pump systems, including hydraulic principles, mechanical components, and electrical controllers would be considered an asset.

Familiarity with the Ontario Fire Code and the NFPA 25 standard as required.

Good working knowledge of computers for word processing, spreadsheets, e-mail and database management.

Well-developed oral and written communication skills.

The incumbent must complete a training session on conducting fire pump churn tests from the university's fire system contractor. In addition, they must complete Queen's WHMIS, Asbestos Awareness,

The incumbent must be physically capable of performing the job duties.

A valid driver's license is required.

3. Is it necessary in this position to oversee the work or to instruct other staff? If so, what does this involve?

No

4. What other people must you deal with in this job and why (i.e. is there direct contact with students, teaching staff, other departments, people outside of the university community)?

There are fire alarm systems in every major building at Queen's, which translates into 99 system that require testing and inspection. Approximately 95 percent of Queen's staff and students work in these buildings. This means that direct contact with administrative staff, researchers, technicians and graduate students could occurring the testing throughout the year. Maintenance staff in Facilities will need to be contacted as required during fire pump testing.

5. How is your work assigned to you and how closely does someone else check your work?

Work related to fire detection system testing will be scheduled by the Safety Technician (Fire Systems) based on the established schedule for completing monthly and annual system inspections.

Under the oversight of the Director, the incumbent will prioritize the time available outside of the fire system testing schedule to complete the weekly or monthly fire pump churn tests. The incumbent will seek guidance and advice from the Director for non-routine or complicated issues.

6. a) Are the sorts of problems encountered in this job usually covered by established procedures or do you frequently have to develop or invent solutions to problems yourself?

Most problems have procedures and policies established by Codes and Regulations. About 10 percent of problems require modification or development of new procedures and these will be worked out by the Safety Technincan (Fire Systems) and/or the Director because it is necessary to interpret the meaning of the Code or Regulation.

b) Are you involved in establishing standard procedures? (give examples)

The procedures for fire detection system testing are set by the Safety Technician (Fire Systems), but the assistant is expected to recommend process and procedures changes when identified. When necessary, the assistant is expected to provide suggestions to the Director on improvements to testing procedures related to fire pumps. Decisions to alter or revise the procedures will be the responsibility of the Director, in consultation the Facilities.

7. a) What is the size of your department (i.e. no. of classes for which you are involved with labs, no. of students, no. of staff you might come in contact with, no. of technicians in the department.)

Number of Administrative Staff: 2
Number of Technical Staff: 4
Number of Non-Technical Staff: 5

b) What kind of equipment or material are you responsible for? Are you solely responsible for and what is its approximate value?

Small tools and test equipment have a value of about $1,500.

Shares responsibility for a half ton pickup truck up to a maximum value of $ 55,000 replacement cost.

The assistant shares the responsibility, along with all other technical staff in the department, for the maintenance and proper use of all the equipment.

8. Give details of any unusual factors affecting this job, i.e. – hazards, unusual working conditions, requirements for a high degree of manual dexterity, etc.

Regular testing and certification of the components of Fire Alarm systems are a requirement of the Ontario Fire Code and its associated regulations. This service is provided by the Department of Environmental Health and Safety which is separately administered from the Facilities responsible for the regular maintenance and repair of these systems. This separation is required to minimize the effect of human error in causing these systems to malfunction.
The job is quite strenuous and requires much climbing on ladders and into service spaces in ceilings, ventilation shafts, HVAC duct work, etc. Reasonable mechanical skills are needed to replace components, secure test equipment, etc.

9. Do you have any general comments about this position that may not be covered by the preceding questions?

The assistant must be a mature person and be able to work carefully and with great consistency. Since the life safety of the building occupants is at stake it is essential that high quality work be done at all times. The assistant must be able to take direction from the Safety Technician (Fire Systems) and must have sufficient self-confidence to accept questioning and criticism from these clients.

10. Does the information provided on this questionnaire accurately describe the duties and responsibilities of your position?

Yes _______X______ No _____________

Position Number:
Position Title: Fire System and Fire Pump Testing Assistant
Tentative Evaluation Points: 147
Authorized Salary Range: $45,501 - $59,151 (effective July 1, 2025)
Union: CUPE 254
FTE: 1.0

Employment Equity and Accessibility Statement

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queen's is strongly committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and encourages applications from Black, racialized persons, Indigenous people, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQI+ persons. In accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements, priority will be given to those who are legally eligible to work in Canada.

The University provides support in its recruitment processes to all applicants who require accommodation due to a protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code, including those with disabilities. Candidates requiring accommodation during the recruitment process are asked to contact Human Resources

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